Shortly after Leon Cupra chassis development manager Sven Schawe told: “Yes Renault have the record, but it’s a very different type of car to ours. If we removed parts from our car, it’s only four seconds, I’m confident we could beat it.”

Honda has also made no secret that one of their goals with the upcoming Civic Type R is to be the fastest front-wheel drive car around the Nürburgring.

Nissan is also joining the party with the upcoming Nismo version of the new Pulsar hatchback. Details are limited what’s under the bonnet, but to take on the Cupra 280, Megane RS 275 Trophy-R and Civic Type-R, the car needs to have around 270-300bhp, along with bigger brakes, stiffer suspension and a new differential.

Nissan has plenty of Nürburgring experience with their GT-R so their plan to beat the current record should be taken very seriously by Renault and other automakers who are after the fastest time with their hot hatches.